The January transfer window may be going under the radar because of the World Cup, but the mid-season trade opportunity is fast approaching nonetheless.
Manchester United are among many clubs considering transfer business in the New Year, with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving them short of options up front. United have already been linked with Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix and PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo as potential replacements.
Erik ten Hag is only half a season into his United stay and, although the club signed five players in the summer, there is plenty more work still to be done. That could well include transfers, with some deadwood to let go of alongside possible arrivals.
Here Mirror Football gives you the latest rumours involving United.
United urged to sign Gakpo
Cody Gakpo has a lot of hype around him right now after scoring in each of the Netherlands’ three World Cup group games. He may not have gotten on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win over the USA on Saturday, but he was still influential.
United are among the Premier League sides interested in the Dutchman, who was chased by Leeds and Southampton in the summer. Gakpo chose to stay put at PSV in the summer, but a move now looks like a matter of time.
Former England defender Glen Johnson has urged the Premier League’s big boys to make a move. “Gakpo looks like he could do it in the Premier League,” Johnson told FairBettingSites. “He looks like he would burst onto the scene like Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have for Liverpool."
Van de Beek swap rejected
Juventus are currently under the microscope in Italy as Turin's public prosecutors comb through their books in pursuit of information about alleged financial offences.
One of the details they've uncovered concerns Manchester United's attempt to offload Donny van de Beek. Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Juventus rejected a proposal in August 2021 to swap Van de Beek with USA international Weston McKennie.
United signed Van de Beek on a five-year contract for a fee which could reach £39million from Ajax in September 2020, but he’s struggled to make an impact. It now appears that they were keen to sell him just nine months after he arrived, only for Juve to reject the chance to sign the midfielder.
Ronaldo replacement touted
Ronaldo’s departure came on United’s terms, but it has left a void in attack for Ten Hag to fill. A possible solution could come in January when United will be able to recall Amad Diallo from his loan spell at Sunderland.
Amad has four goals in his past six games and is full of confidence playing for the Black Cats. His form has led Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray to question where United might want to bring him back into the fold.
"Diallo is on fire at the moment. He scores goals and gets assists,” he said. “Playing games is the best for every player. Let him play, let him dance with it. Is Amad going to get us 20 goals this season? Will Man United think he can play in their team… who knows?”
